Case

A 20-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital after thrown from their horse during a gallop along a pathway. The patient struck their head and did not lose consciousness. The patient exhibits difficulty with control of their tongue, but exhibits normal sensation and expressions from the face and scalp, a normal gag reflexes, and is able to swallow. They are are also able to hear instructions and turn their head left and right. You suspect a base of skull fracture and cranial nerve damage.

Question 2/4 - Which region/structures are most likely fractured in this patient?

Click on your selected option(s) below  (correct = 1, over-thinking = 2+)

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Incorrect. The jugular foramen passes the jugular vein, glossopharyngeal (IX) nerve, vagus (X) nerve, and accessory (XI) nerves.

Incorrect. The sella turcica houses the pituitary gland.

Incorrect. The internal acoustic meatus passes the vestibulocochlear (VIII) and facial (VII) nerves.

Correct! As the name implies, the hypoglossal foramen passes the hypoglossal (XII) nerve.

Incorrect. The stylomastoid foramen is the exit foramen for the facial (VII) nerve.  The facial nerve s odd that it enters through the internal acoustic meatus, but exits from the stylomastoid foramen (i.e. it takes a 'turn' inside the skull bone).

Incorrect. The hypoglossal (XII) nerve exit foramen is not in the anterior cranial fossa.

Incorrect. The hypoglossal (XII) nerve exit foramen is not in the middle cranial fossa.

Correct! The hypoglossal (XII) nerve is exit foramen is within the posterior cranial fossa.